Species profile—Centropyge bispinosa (coral beauty)
Classification
Animalia (animals) → Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) → Pomacanthidae (anglefishes) → Centropyge bispinosa (coral beauty)
Sighting data
Species details
- Kingdom
- Animalia (animals)
- Class
- Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
- Family
- Pomacanthidae (anglefishes)
- Scientific name
- Centropyge bispinosa (Günther, 1860)
- Common name
- coral beauty
- WildNet taxon ID
- 32123
- Alternate name(s)
- twospine angelfish
- Conservation significant
- No
- Wetland status
- Wetland Dependant Species
- Endemicity
- Native
- Pest status
- Nil
- Description
- The twospine angelfish has a blue-purple head and dorsal, anal and tail fins. The centre of the body is orange or yellow, with vertical blue lines or spots. This species grows to 10cm in length.
- Distribution
- This species inhabits tropical marine waters of the Indo-west and central Pacific, from east Africa, north to Japan, south to Australia and east to the Tuamoto Islands. In Australia, it is known to occur in waters around Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Rowley Shoals and Scott Reef, off north-west Western Australia, and from Raine Island in the northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, to Bass Point, central coast New South Wales. It is also known from Lord Howe Island, New South Wales; Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs, Tasman Sea.
- Distributional limits
- 0, 0
0, 0 - Species environment
- Marine
- Habitat
- The species inhabits outer reef slopes and rich coral lagoons, in depths from 5-45m. Juveniles are usually found in coastal, clear-water, rocky reefs. Adults are mostly found along the sloping base of deep drop-offs.
- Behaviour
- The twospine angelfish is a secretive species, sheltering in crevices in the reef. This species occurs singly or in small groups. Male angelfish defend their territory by driving away other male competitors. This is performed in order to maintain access to a mate.
- Reproduction
- For many species of angelfish, spawning (mating) occurs at dusk. Usually a single pair, although sometimes a small group, will congregate off the ocean bottom. When a female arrives nearby, the male performs a courtship display. This involves erecting his fins and swimming rapidly back and forth. Then the male and female swim spiralling toward the surface, where they simultaneously shed eggs and sperm, before returning to the ocean bottom. The eggs are less than 1mm in diameter and hatch 15-20 hours later.
- Diet
- The twospine angelfish feeds on algae.
- Notes
- Contributors: Mellisa Mayhew 16/10/2008; Wayne Martin 09/11/2008
- References
- Egerton, L. (ed.) (2005). Encyclopedia of Australian Wildlife, (Revised Edition). Readers Digest Pty Ltd, Sydney.
Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. (2006). Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia, Volume 35.2, pp. 1303-1304. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Collingwood.
Kuiter, R.H. (1996). Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland Ltd, Sydney.
Parkinson, K. & McGrouther, M. (2003). Find a Fish: Two-spined Angelfish, Centropyge bispinosa (Günther, 1860). Australian Museum, Sydney, accessed 16/10/2008, [http://www.austmus.gov.au/fishes/fishfacts/fish/cbispinosa.htm]. - Profile author
- Mellisa Mayhew (09/11/2008)
Other resources
Data source
This profile data is sourced from the QLD Wildlife Data API using the Get species by ID function used under CC-By 4.0.
https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/species/?op=getspeciesbyid&taxonid=32123.
This information is sourced from the WildNet database managed by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science.
